Gyrosphere (Seabreeze Amusement Park)

Ride
Gyrosphere
Original 1976 Building
Seabreeze Amusement Park
Location Irondequoit, New York, USA
Status Defunct
Operated 1976 to 2007
Theme Rock & Roll Concert
Replaced Lightning Bug
Replaced by Musik Express
Statistics
Manufacturer Seabreeze Amusement Park
Type
Capacity 24
HELP

The Gyrosphere was an in-house flat ride created in 1976 by Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, New York, USA.[1]

This Scrambler type ride was enclosed under a dome that featured music and a light show throughout the duration of the ride.[1][2] The ride was described as, "A Rock & Roll concert experience on a ride".[1]

Originally, the ride featured a yellow and white air support metallic dome. However, in 1994 a fire that ravaged many classic rides, including Seabreeze's famous Carousel, destroyed the ride's dome. A new vinyl steel frame dome was constructed to house the ride.[1][2] Inside the dome, the interior was dark black to prevent any light from entering the structure (although as the ride aged, various holes in the vinyl cover would result in a few rays of sun and the occasional rain drop or two). At the top of the structure was an array of theatrical lighting fixtures. Moving head fixtures surrounded the base of the ride in addition to purple florescent lights that would react to the music. Fog machines were placed in various corners for added effects. Laser lights projected various, often macabre, images on the walls of the dome.

Music

The Gyrosphere featured a variety of music selections over its lifetime. In a tribute to the former Gyrosphere, The Music Express ride which replaced it features a segment of "Fire on High" in the ride soundtrack.

Music Featured on The Gyrosphere
Year Music Title Music Artist
1976 Fire on High Electric Light Orchestra
1990s and 2000s The Gyro Mix/Twilight Zone[3] DJ Tornado/2 Unlimited
2000s Sandstorm Darude
Unknown Wine of Aluqah Therion
1990s to closing THX Intro (Used for introduction with voiceover) THX

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/rocroots/2017/08/05/whatever-happened-gyrosphere/541929001/
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-seabreeze/Content?oid=2389654
  3. "Gyrosphere Music". Democrat & Chronicle (Rochester, NY).